Over-the-counter sleep medication that has helped you?

[SeekingAfrica]

I want to get something that I don't need a recipe for. I do take something for anxiety already, but I've had few hard weeks that have now manifested in a lot of insomnia and that's not helpful for anything. But before I had my anxiety medication, for example, I tried some over-the-counter things that were supposed to help with anxiety, but it was basically waste of money, none of them did anything for me...so before I look in the pharmacy and get something I was wondering if anyone knows anything helpful specifically. I know it's not the same for person to person, but it doesn't hurt to get few opinions.

 

[ImSad]

Melatonin is helpful to me sometimes. Although there are times when I take it that my anxiety overrides it and I get stuck in this weird state where my body is trying to fall asleep and continues to jerk awake. I currently take the Melatonin gummies, 3mg I believe, which work well most nights, except when my anxiety is too high. I'm not on anything for anxiety right now though, so maybe your anxiety medication would take that edge off. Also, I've been told by my t to try liquid melatonin if you can find it. Apparently it's more fast-acting than the pills or gummies so it can be more effective in getting you to sleep.

 

[EveHarrington]

Melatonin
Benadryl

 

[Neverthesame]

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl antihistamine) and Dimenhydrinate (Gravol antiemetic) can be helpful for very short term use. Should be stopped after a few days as the body quickly builds tolerance to recommended dosage. These have also been known to make anxiety acutely worse.
Prolonged over usage can cause dependency.

As has been mentioned already, melatonin can help.

If you haven't tried this already, I'd suggest a glass of warm milk. Heating milk causes an enzyme to be released called tryptophan. It's a natural sedative.
It's the same thing that causes people to get so tired after eating fresh cooked turkey meat.

Implementing good sleep hygiene practices can improve your sleep as well. I'd try these before resorting to sedatives.

 

[joeylittle]

Implementing good sleep hygiene practices can improve your sleep as well. I'd try these before resorting to sedatives.

Good sleep hygiene is really important - just echoing this.

Time-release melatonin was helpful for me, more than just straight melatonin. Make sure you mess around with how early you take it - it's not nearly as effective taken right before bedtime.

Raspberry leaf is a common ingredient in many herb-based sleep aids, and I found it to be pretty potent. I was getting it from a formulation that I believe was put out by the brand Gaia, but it's in many of them. You can also look into using tryptophan supplements.

There's a product called ZZZquil, that is simply diphenhydramine packaged as a sleep aid, you could look up what the active dose is and try and mimic that with an antihistamine product, might be cheaper.

 

[Neverthesame]

There's a product called ZZZquil, that is simply diphenhydramine packaged as a sleep aid, you could look up what the active dose is and try and mimic that

I'd like to echo this.
Definitely look for yourself first before buying anything. Assuming pharmacies are the same where you are as here, @joeylittle is spot on.

The sleeping pill version of diphenhydramine here in Canada is called "Sleep-EZ". It's sold in a pack of 20 for about $20.
The generic version of Benadryl which is the same drug in the same dosage, with no additional or substituted medicinal ingredients. Comes in a bottle of 100 for about $16. Name brand Benadryl is 100 for about $25.
The only difference between all 3 is packaging.
Though again, be sure to read for yourself first of course, in case things are different where you live. Probably not, but it's good to be informed before taking anything.

I do also want to say it one more time that I would try everything else suggested before you go down the sedative route.
The reason I happen to conveniently know an awful lot about this drug and it's packaging, is because it is habit forming. I take it often enough to warrant buying a bottle of 100 despite not having any common allergies.
I take them for sleep and only for sleep. Have for years, they barely do anything for me at all, but can't get even a lousy cat nap without them.
It's fixable, but it take time and many sleepless nights to do. So I remain dependant because it's just slightly more convenient right now.

If you take them. No more than 2-3 days max. Seriously, the rebound insomnia from these is miserable if you over do it.

Hope you can get some sleep, whatever you try. Good luck.

 

[EveHarrington]

Definitely look around for cheap generic Benadryl. I can get a bottle of 100 for $3. Cheapest sleep aid EVER! Lol.

 

[Skywatcher]

Magnesium glicinate (500 mg)

I have used Restzzz. Check the back because it is a mix of melatonin, some flowers, and gaba

 

[Friday]

Raspberry leaf is a common ingredient in many herb-based sleep aids, and I found it to be pretty potent

A note on this... raspberry leaf strengthens uterine contractions, so if you’re female & prone to cramping or sexual assault flashbacks, it’s an herb to avoid. Or at least to be aware of the quirks of it.

Conversely, if you’re working on pelvic floor weakness, or following sexual assault injury?It’s pretty durn useful. (Or, clearly, in your last trimester pregnant, although most people recommend avoiding it if you’re in early pregnancy, or prone to miscarriage) Unlike vaginal walls where one has to consciously do keigle exercises, the uterus contacts throughout the day involuntarily, to maintain muscle tone. Strengthening those contractions is the same as using a 10lb (or 50lb) weight while moving your arm, vs just moving your arm with no extra strength needed. The stronger the muscle contraction, the stronger the muscle becomes. Also the more felt.

A few other side effects of raspberry leaf include swelling of the breasts / tenderness, and extra nip leakage as the glands are more active; increased flexibility in tight joints; and a few other things. Those can be useful, of no matter, or intolerable, depending on your own physiology. I don’t have all the side effects memorised, but they’re pretty easy to look up.

 

[sunshineandmoonshine]

Doxylamine succinate.